TAPAH: The search for missing hiker Jaslinda Saludin has entered a critical phase after the 49-year-old was lost for more than 72 hours while climbing Gunung Batu Putih on May 23.
Perak Fire and Rescue Department director Datuk Sayani Saidon said search and rescue efforts have been intensified, with additional personnel deployed and the search area expanded to locations where the victim may have gone in search of food and water.
The search will now focus on the area along Sungai Ayer Busok, where rescuers believe Jaslinda may have headed to find water.
“This is a critical period but given the victim’s experience, she should be able to survive while the operation is ongoing.
“Based on her experience, we believe she would attempt to find a water source to sustain herself and is likely to head towards Sungai Ayer Busok, which is close to Gunung Batu Putih,” she told a press conference after visiting the incident command post at Pos Kuala Poh here yesterday.
Sayani said 36 personnel from the department and the police were deployed yesterday to Kem Sukaneka and Gunung Rayu areas, assisted by the General Operations Force, the Forestry Department and Forestry Mountain Guides, Bernama reported.
She said the department has also cleared a winching point area measuring about 100sq ft at Kem Salai Matahari to allow for quick evacuation or logistical support if a helicopter is needed.
She said this would facilitate movement for the rescue team, as the current winching points at Bukit Batu Putih and Bukit Berapit 2 are too far from the primary search area.
Sayani said the steep and mountainous terrain posed a challenge for the rescue team, with travel to some search locations taking between seven and eight hours.
Jaslinda was reported to have begun the Trans Spencer Chapman climb at 2am on May 23 with 13 other hikers and two mountain guides via the Pos Gedung-Gunung Bah Gading-Gunung Batu Putih-Kuala Woh route.
She and another hiker, Mohd Hanafi Neikmad, 41, reportedly faced health issues and stopped, but Jaslinda later continued alone to the mountain summit and was last seen by a mountain guide at 7.30am on May 24.
